Citywide:
Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Presentation at PlanCheck NC: Join City Planning
virtually at 10 a.m. on December 9, 2023 at the next PlanCheck NC alliance meeting for a
general overview of the City’s TOC Incentive Program.
Frequently Asked Questions; TOC Guidelines
Implementation of Assembly Bill 2011: The Department has issued an implementation memo
regarding Assembly Bill (AB) 2011. Also known as the Affordable Housing and High Road
Jobs Act of 2022, AB 2011 allows for a streamlined ministerial approval process for qualifying
new residential developments in certain commercial zones. This ministerial process is not
subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as long as certain affordable
housing and labor standards are incorporated into a proposed project.
The Development Services Center (DSC) is available to assist with project related inquiries.
Please email planning.priorityhousing@lacity.org for general questions.
Affordable Housing Streamline Ordinance at CPC (CF 23-0623): On Thursday, November 16,
2023, the City Planning Commission (CPC) voted to approve the proposed Affordable Housing
Streamlining Ordinance. Next step: the item will be scheduled to be heard at the Planning and
Land Use Management (PLUM) committee of the City Council.
Staff CPC Recommendation Report
Metro Transportation Communication Network (TCN) Ordinance at PLUM (CF 22-0392):
The proposed Metro TCN Ordinance was continued to a future meeting date by the PLUM
Committee on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
At the direction of the City Council, Los Angeles City Planning prepared ordinances to amend
the Zoning Code to allow the LA Metro to erect digital display signs on Metro-owned parcels
throughout the City that are adjacent to certain freeways and major streets as part of its TCN
program.
AB 2097 Revised Memo: City Planning released a revised memorandum on October 23, 2023
that provides new guidance on certain topics related to automobile parking requirements and
standards in the Zoning Code. AB 2097 prohibits municipalities from imposing or enforcing
1 Updated on 11/16/23
minimum automobile parking requirements on most development projects within a half-mile
of a major transit stop.
AB 2097 took effect on January 1, 2023, and City Planning released an implementation
memorandum on December 29, 2022. This revised memorandum supersedes the 2022 memo.
AB 2097 webpage
Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) Survey Reminder: Since the launch of the CHIP
Program in early 2023, we have been actively collecting feedback on the CHIP’s six core
program strategies.
As part of this Listening Phase, we want to hear from you before the draft release! Please
share your feedback by completing the Concept Explorer Survey before the survey closes on
November 20th, 2023. Comments can also be emailed to housingelement@lacity.org.
Comments and outreach will continue throughout the next year during draft and adoption
phases ahead.
Proposed Al Fresco Ordinance at PLUM (CF 20-1074-S4): On November 7, 2023, the PLUM
Committee continued the proposed ordinance to a future meeting date.
In June 2023, the PLUM Committee proposed amendments to the Al Fresco Ordinance,
suggesting additional standards, allowances, and enforcement measures. To address these
changes, City Planning prepared a supplemental report outlining the new regulatory
requirements and recommending an alternative ordinance to simplify regulations for most
operators transitioning from temporary Al Fresco authorizations on private property.
Call For Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) Board Members: The City’s HPOZ program
aims to identify and protect the distinctive character of Los Angeles’s historic neighborhoods.
Positions are currently open on multiple HPOZ Boards, which review projects ranging from
historic window rehabilitation and home additions to new single-family infill and larger
multi-family housing developments. Each Board consists of a licensed architect and a person
with real estate or construction experience. All HPOZ residents or property owners who are
knowledgeable about and interested in historic preservation or volunteering in their
community are encouraged to apply.
HPOZ Webpage; Board Member Recruitment Questionnaire
Regional:
Cornfield Arroyo Seco (CASP) Update Office Hours: City Planning is hosting in-person office
hours for the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan (CASP) update on November 18, 2023. The
office hours will be at the Downey Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can
meet with City Planning staff to discuss the Proposed Plan and ask general questions.
Appointments for Office Hours can be scheduled in advance, but walk-ins are also welcome.
The City Planning Commission (CPC) will review the CASP Update on December 7, 2023.
Additional information about the Proposed Plan, including a fact sheet and Draft
Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), is available on the CASP Update website.
Public Hearing Notice
Ventura-Cahuenga Specific Plan Amendment: On October 26, the City Planning Commission
voted to recommend approving the Ventura-Cahuenga SPA to the City Council. The proposed
amendment streamlines sign approvals to aid businesses along the Valley’s main commercial
corridor. The policy also aligns with Mayor Bass’ Executive Directive 4, which directs the City to
identify burdensome processes and fees that make it harder to start a new business in Los
Angeles. The City Council will vote on the amendment at an upcoming meeting.
Boyle Heights Open House: On November 7, City Planning hosted an Open House at Boyle
Heights City Hall as part of the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update in partnership with
Council District 14. The event was an opportunity to learn about the plan that will be
considered by the City Council’s PLUM Committee on December 5, 2023. The
soon-to-be-adopted Community Plan is based on over 10 years of valuable input from the
community and stakeholders.
Boyle Heights Community Plan Update Website; Proposed Plan; Sign Up for Email Updates
Harbor Community Plan update: On November 9th The Harbor Community Plan Team hosted
a virtual information session and public hearing for the Harbor LA Community Plans Update.
All interested stakeholders are encouraged to visit our work program’s website and resources
(recent zoning videos and Storymap).
Draft Environmental Impact Report, Sign Up for email updates
Helpful Resources
● Animated video series about the new, updated zoning system and its modules
● City Planning Prefixes and Suffixes
● Executive Directive 1 Implementation
● SB9 Fact Sheet
● Home-Sharing Records Portal
Subscribe to Our Department Updates
● To receive our monthly department e-newsletter, sign up here.
● Sign up here to receive bi-weekly case reports.
● Community Plan Updates
● Do you think City Planning should come to your community event? We’re interested!
Please send us future outreach opportunities via planning.liaison@lacity.org.